A pneumatic spray gun is a tool used when performing paint and varnish work, applying primers, liquid rubber and other materials to various surfaces.
The paint is distributed by compressed air, which creates a spray jet as it passes through the nozzle. A compressor is used to supply air.
Types
- high pressure (HP);
- high volume at low pressure (HVLP);
- low volume at medium pressure (LVMP);
- low volume low pressure (LVLP).
An important indicator of the operating efficiency of each type is the percentage of loss of sprayed material:
- HP – about 55%;
- HVLP – up to 35%;
- LVMP – less than 35%;
- LVLP – up to 20%.
Best Industrial Pneumatic Spray Gun
Metabo FB 2200 HVLP is designed for long-term operation without interruption. This allows the formation of a uniform, uniform coating without visible boundaries between layers of paint.
The use of the HVLP system (high volume at low pressure) made it possible to improve the quality of the coating with less consumption of the starting material.
The working life is increased due to the use of metal parts in the design. The comfortable, textured handle prevents the tool from slipping during the painting process.
The half-liter capacity of the paint tank contributes to increasing the total coating time.
The design feature of the gun allows you to gently regulate the paint supply. This promotes the formation of coatings with varying thicknesses.
Pros:
- light weight of the instrument in its class;
- reduction of the total consumption of the starting material, reduction of paint rebound;
- smooth adjustment of the supply of compressed air and liquid coating;
- stable torch shape;
- increased tank volume;
- high quality workmanship;
- the possibility of using low-power “amateur” compressors with a volume of about 250 cm³.
Minuses:
- roads for domestic use.
Characteristics:
| Compressed air consumption, dm³/min | 200 | Tank location | top |
| Paint tank volume, dm³ | 0,5 | Compound | thread |
| Inlet pressure parameters, atm. | 4,5 | Weight when assembled, kg | 0,75 |
| Nozzle size, mm | 1,5 | Overall dimensions in packaging, mm | 170x110x190 |
Equipment:
- user manual;
- additional nozzle Ø 1.5 mm;
- polymer glass 500 cm³.
The homeland of the brand is Germany. Manufacturer – Italy. Manufacturer's warranty up to 3 years.
Choosing a compressor
Having a compressor in your garage is generally very useful. It is used not only for painting work, you can connect pneumatic jacks, a pneumatic impact wrench to it, with a compressor you can blow out clogged fuel lines, check connections for leaks, you can simply pump up wheels with it and use it for many purposes and not only as a car enthusiast. So you can use it every day and such a useful unit will definitely not gather dust in the corner.
So, the most popular compressors for painting are piston-type air compressors. They are divided into two types: oil and oil-free. Such compressors are extremely simple and reliable to operate and do not require professional maintenance.
Oil-free piston compressors are usually used for the simplest needs - pumping up tires, blowing out a jet, and finally, painting a garage door. Therefore, we will not consider them as a great assistant in car repair and painting. I will only note that in terms of cost, such oil-free compressors are the cheapest.
Now, let's take a closer look at what piston oil compressors are, what their characteristics are, as well as their differences. They have one thing in common: oil is poured into the electric motor crankcase. Also, compressors are available with direct drive and belt drive. Belt-driven compressors are also divided into two types: single-stage and two-stage. Two-stage ones make less noise during operation and are more productive. Belt-driven compressors are considered more reliable, which is determined by the features of its design.
What characteristics of compressors should you pay attention to when choosing.
- Power supply (220-230V, 380V, mixed - 220/380V)
- Power consumption (kW)
- Productivity (amount of air produced - liters per minute)
- Maximum discharge pressure into the receiver (atm)
- Receiver volume (liters)
Power supply - well, in principle, everything is clear here, if you have three-phase power in the garage, then the choice is obvious, if only 220 volts, then no questions arise either. I recommend monitoring the voltage in your garage using an AC voltmeter. Data should be taken for the morning, afternoon and evening. If the voltage is even and does not drop below 200 Volts, then everything is OK. If the readings jump from 230 to 160 Volts, then stable operation from the compressor cannot be obtained and in this case you should also take care of purchasing a voltage stabilizer.
Power consumption - when choosing, you should again rely on the quality of the electrical network where you will use the compressor. If the network is ancient, and Chubais never repaired it, the wires are thin and consist of twists, then the high power consumption can cause a fairly serious voltage drop and high current, resulting in overheating of the wires and the possibility of a fire. Therefore, when purchasing a high-power compressor, first make sure that the wires running from your garage to the distribution panel are not twisted and have a sufficient cross-section. If it is not possible to do this work yourself or you are not qualified enough, then seek help from a qualified electrician.
Performance is one of the most important indicators in the characteristics of a purchased compressor. It is measured by the amount of compressed air produced, liters per minute. If you are going to paint cars, then you should take into account that when working with various spray guns, air consumption is required, sometimes quite significant. And different spray gun systems have their own requirements for the amount of compressed air consumed. For example, spray guns of the HVLP system (low excess pressure - high air flow) consume from 170 to 550 l/min, depending on the design. Therefore, when purchasing a compressor, compare its capabilities with the air consumption requirements of the spray gun you are going to use. If these requirements are ignored, the compressor will constantly thresh without breathing, the outlet pressure will float, and the unit will overheat, which is not good. Well, the quality of painting will be appropriate. To protect against overheating, all compressors are equipped with a thermal relay that will turn off the unit if overloaded.
The maximum pressure pumped into the receiver is measured in atmospheres (atm), this indicator is approximately the same for all compressors of this type and amounts to 8-12 atm. The output pressure regulator sets the desired value, which can be monitored on the pressure gauge.
The volume of the receiver is measured in liters; for garage and painting work, I do not recommend taking less than 50 liters. Partially insufficient compressor performance can be compensated by increasing the volume of the receiver.
Price: from 600 hryvnia
The best spray gun without a tank
SATAjet 1000 K RP 132134 is used for coating small and large surfaces with preparatory, rough and finishing paints.
One of the advanced technologies is used - liquid spraying using the RP method (modernized high-pressure coating). This helps save paint by reducing paint mist.
High precision manufacturing of wide internal channels and surface polishing made it possible to use a starting material with a high viscosity index. The operating temperature has reached 50°C.
The spray gun is used in conjunction with a pressure tank or high pressure pump. The mirror polishing of the nickel-plated outer surface makes the instrument easy to clean.
Pros:
- high flow rate of working material;
- wide torch;
- the air head is equipped with special channels that prevent the accumulation of paint material during the working process;
- Wide and smooth internal channels contribute to better paint flow;
- the working medium supply hose is fixed to the gun using a Teflon ball valve, a special pipe or through a quick-release coupling;
- rational consumption of compressed air allows the use of a spray device with small compressors;
- working air nozzles are made of brass;
- the paint nozzle and adjustment needle are made of high quality steel;
- the outer surface of the device is covered with an additional protective layer;
- Self-regulating air seals ensure reliable tightness;
- the presence of an integrated pressure gauge to adjust the air flow speed.
The device is characterized by economical paint consumption
Minuses:
- high price;
- Use only for professional purposes.
Characteristics:
| Compressed air consumption, dm³/min | 410 | Working pressure value, atm. | 10 |
| Fitting size | 1/4″ | Compound | thread |
| Weight, kg | 0,483 | Equipment | package |
| Nozzle size, mm | 1,7 |
Equipment:
- spray gun;
- key;
- tool cleaning brush;
- instructions for use;
- packing box.
The homeland of the brand is Germany. Manufacturer – Germany.
Device selection criteria
When choosing a spray gun for use at home, the owner needs to focus on his own needs. To do this, you need to understand what functions it will need. And only after that should you move on to studying the characteristics of the model that interests you.
The key parameters of the spray gun that should be considered when choosing are the following:
- Pressure . Most compressors can compress air up to 6-8 bar. With this indicator, the motor automatically turns on and pumps in air. But there are devices that can maintain operating pressure at 10 bar.
- Productivity . One of the main characteristics on which the quality of the work performed depends. It should be understood that the performance of the tool is not affected in any way by the volume of compressed air that the device can produce in one minute of working time. The performance of a particular model can only be determined in practice by creating special conditions for it. Therefore, this parameter will be different for each device.
- Spray adjustment . This feature can be very useful if you are going to paint the ceiling. With its help, you can change several actions without taking breaks during work:
- output air indicators;
- torch shape;
- needle stroke.
The best spray gun for painting a car
Jonnesway JA-6111 is used for all types of painting work, but is especially effective when painting cars. The tool is easy to use. The body and replacement parts are resistant to many aggressive substances found in paint.
Two types of tanks are used - standard and larger capacity. In addition, they are made of different materials. One is made of nylon, the other is made of aluminum alloy.
This made it possible to increase the time of continuous operation and use containers for working with liquids of varying aggressiveness.
The design provides the ability to adjust the supply of compressed air and paint. The feed speed and flow power are set by screws located on the device in the lower and trim parts.
The nozzles are made of high-quality anti-corrosion steel, which significantly increases the overall service life of the tool.
Pros:
- ability to work with many liquids with different chemical reactivity;
- the use of substances with different viscosities - primers, protective mastics, nitro paints and others;
- allows the use of all types of coatings;
- perfect coating application;
- availability of additional replaceable nozzles;
- the overall efficiency of using paint compositions reaches 65%;
- simplicity of design, convenience and ease of use;
- Exactly complies with HLVP standards.
Minuses:
- increased (subjective) consumption;
- roads for home use;
- A case for storing tools and replacement parts is desirable.
Characteristics:
| Type of spraying of paint compositions | HLVP | Paint tank volume, dm³ | 0,6 |
| Standard nozzle size, mm | 1,4 | Air supply connection size | 1/4″ |
| Location of the paint tank | top | Assembled weight, kg | 0,7 |
| Type of docking | thread | Overall dimensions, assembled, mm | 170x325x135 |
| Air consumption, dm³/min | 396 |
Equipment:
- packing box;
- spray gun;
- replaceable nozzle;
- storage tank;
- user manual.
The homeland of the brand is Taiwan. Manufactured in Taiwan.
Additional items
A compressor spray gun will be easier to use if the kit includes additional parts. Their presence is optional, however, they will help to get the best result.
A compressor spray gun will be easier to use if the kit includes additional parts.
Gearbox for spray gun
A small device that consists of a pressure gauge and a pressure regulator. When working, it is important to know how much pressure is needed for the spray gun to create an even layer. Therefore, the presence of a regulator simplifies adjustment. There are mechanical and digital types of devices.
In the latest professional devices, the gearbox may be built-in.
The pressure gauge that is installed in the compressor can only show the pressure level when spraying. Requires setting the location of the part on the input part.
When working, it is important to know how much pressure is needed for the spray gun to create an even layer.
Water separator
When water-based or other paint must be applied without the slightest defects, it is necessary to exclude moisture in the air, it will leave craters on the surface. To do this, you need a moisture separator, which is placed between the handle and the end of the hose from the compressor.
There are small devices and special stations. The latter, of course, give the best result, completely eliminating moisture and pollution from the air. So it’s easier to get a metallic effect on a car by choosing a similar device.
When water-based or other paint must be applied without the slightest defects, it is necessary to exclude moisture in the air, it will leave craters on the surface.
The best spray gun for primer coatings and liquid rubber
Liquid rubber is a paint and varnish material that, when dried, forms an elastic coating. It has high sealing properties and increased viscosity.
It is a type of water-polymer based mastic. Hence the specific requirements for the spray gun for applying this material.
DeVilbiss PRi Pro is best for use with these types of mastics. Provides high-quality application of paint compositions to the surface. Designed for coating with various primers, including modern brands.
Good for working with liquid rubber and putty. Belongs to the professional class.
The tool has a durable body that allows you to easily change the working nozzle without changing the adjusting needle and air cap. This makes it possible to customize the device for a specific type of material.
The adjusting screws change the speed and power of the air flow and ensure the supply of the required amount of working paint medium. The air cap adjusts the shape of the torch.
The main elements are made of durable anti-corrosion metal, which allows you to increase the service life of the tool.
Pros:
- ability to work with liquid media of varying viscosity and chemical aggressiveness;
- anti-corrosion coating;
- uniform application of intermediate and finishing coatings;
- customization for a specific type of painting material;
- easy change of nozzle without reconfiguring the entire device;
- low weight in working order;
- simple and convenient for use in auto repair shops.
Minuses:
- does not justify its cost when purchased for home use.
Characteristics:
| Input parameters of compressed air, atm. | 2,0 | Head | brass with additional protective galvanizing |
| Air consumption, dm³/min | 350 | Nozzle material | stainless steel |
| Air duct inlet thread size | 1/4″M | Adjustment needle material | stainless steel |
| Storage tank volume, dm³ | 0,56 | Torch size, cm | 33–34 |
| Tool weight without tank, grams | 604 | Average consumption of working material, g/m² | 160–200 |
| Weight of tool with tank, grams | 778 |
Equipment:
- spray gun;
- storage tank with top location;
- universal collapsible key;
- a special Torx tool for changing the seal of the adjusting needle;
- identification rings (set);
- certificate of conformity, instructions for use;
- packing box.
The homeland of the brand is Great Britain. Country of origin: Great Britain. 12 month warranty.
Tool parameter settings before use
Setting up a spray gun for beginners is one of the most difficult moments when using it for the first time. You should start by testing the parts for integrity. In this case, you need to fill the device three-quarters, and the engine turns on.
After connecting the hose to the gun, look at the quality of fastening the bolts and nuts. When you are convinced that the paintwork is not leaking and the work is proceeding uninterruptedly, you can proceed directly to painting the base.
You need to adjust the operating parameters of the tool using the regulator screw. The screw located at the bottom of the pistol part rotates. In one direction it increases the volume of air flow, in the other it decreases. The level of material supply is also regulated.
Turning the screw clockwise results in a circular spray pattern, while counterclockwise produces an ellipse.
You need to adjust the operating parameters of the tool using the regulator screw.
Best low pressure spray gun
Exceptionally simple and reliable design MASTAK 671-013C . Convenient to use. Used with many types of paints and varnishes. Popular among auto repairmen. Used in conjunction with low pressure compressed air injection equipment (HLVP system).
The design feature of the model - an input compressed air pressure of 2 atm and modern atomization technology - allows you to create an output value of 0.7 atm.
The result is savings in painting material of up to 30%. The process becomes not only economical, but also environmentally friendly - less formation of harmful suspended matter in the surrounding space.
The lightweight forged durable metal body allows you to operate the tool for a long time without repair work. The nozzle and adjusting needle are made of high quality stainless steel.
An optional repair kit will help you quickly replace worn O-rings and weakened springs.
Pros:
- simple, lightweight and easy to use design; a beginner will master the instrument in a short time;
- durable and reliable metal case;
- economical to operate;
- does not form harmful turbulence during the workflow of applying paintwork materials;
- high-quality application of finishing and intermediate coatings;
- work with a large list of paint compositions;
- the ability to adjust the supply of working dye, power and air flow speed;
- long operating time;
- additional repair kit.
Minuses:
- expensive, beneficial only for professional use.
Characteristics :
| Air consumption, l/min | 250 | Nozzle size, mm | 1,3 |
| Storage tank volume, l | 0,6 | Assembled weight, kg | 2,7 |
| Type of connection | thread | Location of paint storage | top |
| Compressed air pressure indicator, atm. | 2 |
Equipment:
- case for storage and transportation;
- additional repair kit;
- spray gun;
- container for paint;
- pressure gauge (a device for measuring air flow);
- brush for cleaning the gun;
- a wrench for disassembling a tool or tightening connections;
- additional fitting;
- three additional filters for cleaning paintwork materials.
The homeland of the brand is Taiwan. The origin of the product is Taiwan.
And a few more tips:
- For convenience and more delicate work, choose spray guns equipped with adjustments - air flow, paint flow, and torch shape. For example, adjusting the spray pattern on your paint sprayer will help achieve wider coverage.
- Working with a paint sprayer requires careful cleaning of the air leaving the compressor from oil, which will inevitably be in it. If your compressor is not oil-free, you need to take care of cleaning the air from oil - install a filter at the outlet.
Source
